******************************************Sent at the request of Gerald Rising ... reply to him.******************************************Invitation to Contribute to Beginning Math Teachers

I am currently writing a book to be titled /Letters to a Young Math Teacher/. (That title is, of course, a rip-off on E.O. Wilson's current best-seller, /Letters to a Young Scientist/.) In my book I seek to prepare teachers first entering the profession for the real world they will face in schools. Two of my reasons for writing: (1) Today, although they have much to offer, many college methods instructors have never taught in public schools, and (2) Even when student teaching, students find themselves in an environment established by their cooperating teacher.

My book will be largely based on my own classroom experiences teaching and later supervising teachers in rural, urban and suburban schools. I will be talking about topics like

. discipline,. the first day,. the school and community environment,. content,. texts and curriculum,. tests, and. dealing with students, fellow teachers, administrators, parents and other community members.

Some of you may have your own thoughts about the experiences of beginners and especially your own experiences that could contribute to this book. I invite you to communicate them to me. I am prepared to give you full credit for any such contributions I use. My email address is: <insrisg@buffalo.edu>.